After the SC deadline, J&K approves Bilquis Mir for the Asian Games.

After the Supreme Court intervened, the Jammu and Kashmir government ultimately allowed international canoeing coach and umpire Bilquis Mir to travel to Japan for the Asian Games in 2026.

On September 15, the Supreme Court’s deadline, the Youth Services and Sports Department issued the directive. Mir, a physical education teacher, has been granted permission to participate in the Indian national kayaking and canoeing team and serve as coach or chief coach during the Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

Mir has been stripped of her regular responsibilities for the duration of the assignment in accordance with the government decree. As soon as she finishes her duties at the Asian Games, she must report back to her parent department. Her absence will not be regarded as an unapproved absence.

This development follows the Supreme Court’s harsh criticism of Mir’s permission-granting delay. The deadline for the J&K administration to issue the necessary instructions was previously set by the top court at September 15. In June, the government refused to allow Mir to participate in international sporting events, citing a departmental investigation, concerns about her qualifications for the position, prior international travel, and a lack of vigilance clearance.

Another round of judicial actions resulted from the ruling. After the Division Bench of the J&K High Court affirmed the administration’s ruling, Mir and the involved sports organization petitioned the Supreme Court. On September 10, the Supreme Court overturned both the June 19 administrative ruling that had prevented Mir from leaving and the High Court’s order. The court emphasised that athletic assignments follow rigorous schedules, with international contests, training camps, qualifying events, and selections scheduled well in advance.

A legal dispute that started in 2023 has also been connected to the case. In July 2025, the High Court dismissed the case that the J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau had filed against Mir. The authorities were criticized by the High Court, which noted that the measures taken against her seemed to be a “witch-hunt.” The Supreme Court rejected the J&K government’s appeal of that ruling.  Mir had previously been refused permission to travel, which caused him to miss two international athletic events. She can now officially represent India at the Asian Games thanks to the most recent order.